The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-24
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE
THE EUROPEAN WAR CLOUD.
a Look at Both Sides of 1t by Professor Ho-
ratio 8. White. of Cornell University.

BERLIN. April Wars and rumors of wars
have been agitating the air. The state Of Ger
many is now more than of eternal
vigilance as the price of that kind of peace for
which martial preparations supposed to be
the sure guarantee. For months the families of
officers in the frontier fortresses, on the Russian
and French borders, have been warned to be in
readiness TO depart with twenty four hours
notice. The trunks of officers here in the heart
of the empire have for weeks been packed.
For years the various stats have busted them
selves with Russian. In the maneuvers. last
fall the soldiers were quietly trained in bread
making, against the possibility of long forced
marches through the sparsely settled plains of
the Muscovite.
Before the elections griZzled officer climbed
into omnibus with small family at his heels.
1t required some little time before his freight
was safely distributed and the occupants of the
stage shaken dawn again into compact wedge.
Scarcely were well settled when the veteran
started up with donnerwetter exclaimng
'Tve forgotten my sword. We must go back
Immediately" And so the little party filed out
once more and were deposited some distance
from their quarters, the old soldier muttering
humorously to himself: ''Well, what would you
have? l shall be fined if don't; the war is al
ready here" 1t was but casual remark yet
betrayed the general feeling
The younger officers, who were. perchance
with their nurses when Sedan won, and
whose knowledge of war is drawn from the'sham
fight and the panorama, may be eager to gain
their spurs on bloodier fields but all are ready
One university professor, who has put by little
sum for his wedding trip, is waiting to see
whether he may not have to spend it on his
officers outfit instead. Another, in the midst of
important investigations, signs, not for fear of
the foe, but lest he may be cut down before his
work is ended.
The Hanoveran malcontents, who cannot for
give William for Furnishing their misguided king,
predict internal OBJECTIONS, if Prussia should be
threatened Said a retired member OF the
Guelphic Legion lately: Suppose that Russia
threatens Berlin, and south German troops are
summoned to protect the capital of the empire.
Do you think that they will submit to the x
posure OF their own territory to the inroads of
the French
Meanwhile, recent travellers through Alsace
report that the prelminaries for war are, there,
complete. Every scrap of superfuous railroad
material has been carefully removed until moth
ing portable remains but the telegraphic nstru-
ments; and even for them packing boxes
hand, so that the apparatus may be modified"
at the briefest warning. The fifteen Alsatan
Deputies Just reelected are all anti German, but
we are now assured that Bonlanger's plan of
campaign is to be through Belgium. That is. if
he can find steeds enough to carry his cavalry.
For, at present. every country seems eager to
import great quantities of horses, while no
country appears inclined to let any go, not even
excepting Russia, which is the only land pos
sessing vast and superhuous equine stock.
This is one side of the shield. On the other
hand. the results of the elections to the ReicEs-
tag leave matters in perhaps less threaten
ing light, and the policy of depreciation is begin
ming to appear. The French envoy, NJ. Her
bette, at q gathering at the Chinese minister's
residence. which might be termed neutral
ground, has declared that the thunderstorm of
war is passing, and that people may now shut
ND their umbrellas treasured. Only recently,
too, Bismarck received the visit of the head of a
prominent wine firm in Bordeaux that was ac-
customed to fill the Chancellor's cellar. The
merchant brought the conversation around to
the probabilities of Franco-German struggle
when Bismarck detailed the reasons which
proved how remote the chances were and
clinched the argument by remarking with grim
humor: IF l thought that war were really i'm
minent | should not give you this large order.
but should wait and fetch the wine myself
from France" The recent cordial reception of
Count De Lesseps, who came hitherNas in
formal apostle of good will marked by the
expression Of the friendiest and most
placable sentiments on the part of the Emperor
the world is moving with appearance of
renewed placidity, and but for occasional angry
ebullitons it might almost seem as if that armed
peace for half century which Moltke predicted
few years ago so imperative, were at
present to be disturbed
The venerable fieldmarshal, already we'll into
his eighty seventh year. Is of the most
familiar figures of the day. Punctual in his
attendance upon the sessions of the Rechstag
he may at other times be walking slowly
about the promenades, or strolling alone through
the mazes of the Thierearten. The sixty fifth
anniversary this year of his withdrawal from
the Danish service and entrance into the army
of the crown of Prussia recalls the Endorsement
by the Danish Minister of War upon his appli-
cation for a discharge: "Your Majesty's govern
ment will lose nothing by the release of the
undersigned" The muse of history might pen
the postscript: perhaps not, except Schleswig
and Holstein"
At the great student celebration of the restora-
ton of the empire. few weeks ago. Won
Moltke was an invited guest. His entry was the
signal for q scene of the widest enthusiasm.
The air thick with huzzahs, and the CALLER
les were white with waving handkerchief,
while the trumpet sounded a martial flourish
the aged chief made his way to his appointed
place. With his mug of beer before him he
Joined in the numerous toasts. and sang with
the rest when from thousand threats the
rousing student songs rang forth. Perhaps this
friendly compliance wise move as the
great strategist ever made. At all events until
late hour he took part in the festivities with
an appearance of much quiet enjoyment
The temper of the Emperors mind at present
ray be illustrated by his remark that the result
o. me elections had made him feel twenty years
younger, and that his people could not have
offered him hardsomer birthday gift. His
dispatch to the Pope, expressing cordial thanks
for the moral support afforded in this crisis to
the German government by the Holy Father,
may seem strange utterance and would appear
TO betray the existence of a somewhat singular
alliance the Pope, however. has been we'll
treated by Prussia, and has little to gain from
war, especially in the event of Germany's defeat
The victory of Russia would mean an extension
of the power and influence of the Greek Catho-
lie Church into the Baltic provinces, Poland
Bohemia, Moravla, and even into Romish
Austria and Hungary, as well as the southern
Slavic states The victory o. France would
bring with it food of radcalism that would
spread into Belgium. Switzerland, Spain, and
the western German provinces. Such at least
are the !orebodings which have led tho Cur.a to
favor and further the wishes of Protestant
Emperor.
Meanwhile. the fr-,its Of the renewed cordial
understanding between Rome and Berlin, or,
more correctly speaking. between the Vatican
and Bismarck, are to be viewed in the recent
legislation proposed in the Prussian Pariiamen
looking towards the practical notification of the
famous Falk laws. This legislation which is to be
passed upon finally after the Easter HOLIDAYS is
essentially a relaxation of the severity of previ-
Gus ecclesiastical bills and forms a compromise
between church and state. The matter of the
nomination OF priests. for example is left to the
former, while the state may withhold the rat fica-